Firearm Accessory Holder

ABSTRACT

A firearm accessory holder is provided, which includes one or more receptacles, each for receiving a firearm accessory and a rail mount configured to removably attach the receptacles to a rail of the firearm. Each of the receptacles includes a cylindrical cavity comprising a first closed end and a second open end and a removable cap configured to seal the second open end. The rail mount comprises a mounting section configured to be secured to the rail of the firearm;

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a holder for firearm accessories configured to be mounted to the rail of a rifle or another type of firearm. In particular, the present application relates to a holder for replacement batteries for use with a firearm component configured to be mounted to the rail of a rifle or another type of firearm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several firearm accessories and components may require the use of batteries, which require the user to carry extra replacement batteries with them in the event the batteries run out. For example, a laser sight component on a rifle requires the use of batteries. Typically, a user may carry spare batteries with them in a bag, but in the event the spare batteries are needed, it can be inconvenient or time-consuming for the user to rummage through a bag for batteries.

There are certain other products available in the art that incorporate a storage compartment into the firearm, specifically in the handle of the firearm. However, these products require the user to purchase the firearm as such and are not adaptable for use with existing firearms the user may have. There are also products that are provided for attachment to the rail on a firearm, however these products are generally supplied for providing an enhanced functionality to the firearm, and may accordingly be more costly, while failing to provide the user the needed storage compartment.

What is therefore needed is a storage apparatus that solves these problems currently facing the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application addresses these shortcomings of the art by providing an accessory carrying apparatus that is adapted for connecting to the rail of a firearm.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present application, an apparatus for holding a firearm accessory is provided. The apparatus comprises one or more receptacles, each for receiving a firearm accessory and a rail mount configured to removably attach the receptacles to a rail of the firearm. Each of the receptacles comprises a cylindrical cavity comprising a first closed end and a second open end and a removable cap configured to seal the second open end. The rail mount comprises a mounting section configured to be secured to the rail of the firearm;

In accordance with various embodiments of the application, the one or more receptacles include a plurality of receptacles. The rail mount may further comprise a receptacle connecting section adjacent to the mounting section configured to adjoin the plurality of receptacles.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the apparatus, the mounting section comprises a cutout section having a substantially hexagonal cross-section having a first open end and a second open end, the cutout section configured to slide onto a section of the Picatinny rail. The cutout section of the rail mount is arranged in a first direction perpendicular to an orientation of the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles. The rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm. The through hole is arranged in parallel to the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles and a portion of the through hole overlaps with the cutout section of the rail mount.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the rail mount further comprises a hexagonal cutout adjacent to an end of the through hole configured to receive a hexagonal nut configured to secure the screw or bolt to the rail mount.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the mounting section comprises a surface including one or more projections arranged thereon configured to engage one or more type mounts on the rail of the firearm. The rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm, wherein the through hole is arranged perpendicular to an orientation of the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the apparatus, the mounting section comprises a cutout section having a first open end and a second open end, the cutout section configured to slide onto a section of the rail of the firearm. The rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles comprises a female threaded section adjacent to the second open end, and the removable cap comprises a male threaded section configured to engage the female threaded section of the cylindrical cavity.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the removable cap comprises a base section configured to engage the second open end of the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles, wherein the base section comprises an O-ring configured to be received in the second open end of the cylindrical cavity. The base section of the removable cap comprises a bottom surface comprising padding. The removable cap comprises an upper section including a slot arranged therein configured to receive a head of a screwdriver.

In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus, the cylindrical cavity of each of the receptacles is dimensioned to receive and hold a cylindrical battery. The cylindrical battery can be a replacement battery for use with a laser sight of the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a first perspective view of a firearm accessory holding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1B shows a second perspective view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1C shows a side view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1D shows a bottom view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1E shows a top view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1F shows a front view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1G shows a rear view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1H shows a first perspective view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus with the caps removed, according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1I shows a second perspective view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus with the caps removed, according to the first embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2A shows a side view of a cap of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a cap of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3A shows a first perspective view of a firearm accessory holding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3B shows a bottom view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3C shows a top view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3D shows a front view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3E shows a rear view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 3F shows a first perspective view of the firearm accessory holding apparatus with the caps removed, according to the second embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described with reference made to FIGS. 1A-3F.

An apparatus 100 is provided that allows the user of a rifle or another type of firearm to carry equipment or accessories, such as replacement batteries for an accessory or component of the firearm, such as a laser sight component, in a compartment that can be connected to the rail of the firearm. Although the embodiment of the apparatus 100 described herein as a holder for batteries used with a laser sight component of a rifle, it should be noted that the apparatus 100 can be used to hold other firearm accessories, batteries for other uses or other accessories that can be used, for example, while hunting, and is not limited as such, and the apparatus 100 can be used with any form of a firearm, not only rifles.

A firearm accessory carrying apparatus 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present application is shown in FIGS. 1A-1I. The apparatus 100 comprises one or more receptacles 101, each for receiving a battery or other accessory item. In the embodiments illustrated herein, two receptacles 101 are provided, but other embodiments of the apparatus 100 may include more or less than two receptacles 101.

In certain embodiments of the apparatus 100, each receptacle 101 is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises a cylindrical cavity 110 configured to receive and hold a battery that is also cylindrical in shape. For example, the batteries may be AA, AAA or CR123A type batteries, but the present application is not intended to be limited to use with any particular size or type of battery, now known or later developed. Each receptacle 101 includes a cavity 110 with an open end 110 a providing access to the cavity 110 and a second closed end 103 opposite the open end 110 a. A removable cap 102 configured to cover the open end 110 a to seal the cavity 110, so that a battery inserted into the receptacle 101 is fully contained therein when the cap 102 is secured to the receptacle 101. It is noted that in other embodiments of the apparatus, the receptacles may take other shapes other than the cylindrical shape shown in the Figures in order to accommodate and contain accessories of other shapes or sizes.

An exemplary embodiment of the removable cap 102 is shown in FIGS. 2A-2B. The removable cap 102 may comprise a male threaded section 112 configured to engage a corresponding female threaded section 111 on the interior of the cylindrical cavity 110 of the receptacle 101 for securing the cap 102 thereto. The removable cap 102 may also comprise a base, on which the threaded section 112 is arranged, also including an O-ring 114 arranged thereon configured to provide a seal around the open end 110 a of the cylindrical cavity 110. The base section of the removable cap 102 may also comprise a bottom surface 113 comprising padding, which is configured to reduce any noise or damage that may be caused by the batteries shifting inside the receptacle 101. The removable cap 102 may also comprise an upper section including a slot 115 or other cavity arranged therein configured to receive a head of a screwdriver or a wrench for connecting and disconnecting the cap. It is noted that while the cap 102 is shown in the Figures as being threaded, in other embodiments of the apparatus 100, the cap 102 may take other forms to be secured to the cavity 110, including a press-fit arrangement, a tab and slot arrangement, and other connection means known in the art or later developed, and the cap 102 may further be attached to the apparatus 100 to prevent complete separation of the cap 102 from the apparatus 100, such as by a hinge or a connecting element.

The apparatus 100 further includes a rail mount 104, which is configured to removably connect the apparatus 100 and the plurality of receptacles 101 to a rail of the firearm. The rail mount 104 comprises a mounting section 105 comprising the elements that secure the apparatus 100 to the rail of the firearm; and a receptacle connecting section 107 adjacent to the mounting section 105, which adjoin each of the plurality of receptacles 101 to each other and connect the plurality of receptacles 101 to the mounting section 105.

In the embodiment of the apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1I, the rail mount 104 is configured to attach the apparatus 100 to a Picatinny rail on a firearm. The mounting section 105 comprises a cutout section having a substantially hexagonal cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of a Picatinny rail, having a first open end 106 a and a second open end 106 b. The cutout section is configured to slide onto a section of a Picatinny rail. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the cutout section of the rail mount 104 is arranged in a first direction perpendicular to the orientation of the plurality of receptacles 101. In other embodiments, the mounting section 105 comprises a cutout section having a different cross-sectional shape other than hexagonal, such as square, rectangular, circular, ovular, or any other regular or irregular shape, in order to slide over rails of various shapes.

The rail mount 104 further comprises a through hole 108 configured to receive a screw or a bolt that furthers secure the apparatus 100 to the firearm rail. The through hole 108 is arranged in parallel to the plurality of receptacles 101 and a portion of the through hole 108 overlaps with the cutout section of the rail mount 104. In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus 100, the rail mount 104 further comprises a hexagonal cutout 109 a adjacent to an end of the through hole 108 configured to receive a hexagonal nut configured to secure the screw or bolt to the rail mount 104 and a circular cutout 109 b configured to receive a circular bolt or screw head.

Additional embodiments of the apparatus of the present application may be provided for use with alternative firearm rail attachment mechanisms. In accordance with a further embodiment of the application, shown in FIGS. 3A-3F, an apparatus 200 is provided configured for use with a KEYMOD type mount on firearm. The apparatus 200 comprises a plurality of receptacles 201, each for receiving a battery or other accessory item. The receptacles 201 of the apparatus 200 may be configured similarly to the receptacles 101 of the apparatus 100, including a cavity 210 with an open end providing access to the cavity 210 and, a second closed end 203. A removable cap 202 configured to cover the open end to seal the cavity 210, which can engage a threaded section 211 inside the cavity 210.

The apparatus 200 further includes a rail mount 204, which is configured to removably connect the apparatus 200 and the plurality of receptacles 201 to a rail of the firearm. The rail mount 204 comprises a mounting section 205 comprising the elements that secure the apparatus 200 to the rail of the firearm; and a receptacle connecting section 207 adjacent to the mounting section 205. The mounting section 205 comprises a surface including one or more key-mod type projections 206 arranged thereon configured to engage one or more key-mod type mounts on the rail of the firearm. The rail mount 204 further comprises a through hole 208 configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus 200 to the rail of the firearm. The through hole 208 is arranged perpendicular to an orientation of the cylindrical cavity 210 of each of the plurality of receptacles 201.

In other embodiments of the apparatus not illustrated herein, the rail mount may be configured to connect the apparatus to an M-LOK type rail, and further embodiments may be configured to connect the apparatus to other rail configurations, now known or later developed.

As used herein, directional or positional terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., are used for explanatory purposes only to describe the apparatus 100 having the orientation shown on the page for example in FIG. 1A.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. 

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus for holding a firearm accessory comprising: one or more receptacles, each for receiving a firearm accessory and each comprising: a cylindrical cavity comprising a first closed end and a second open end; and a removable cap configured to seal the second open end; and a rail mount configured to removably attach the one or more receptacles to a rail of the firearm, the rail mount comprising: a mounting section configured to be secured to the rail of the firearm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more receptacles comprises a plurality of receptacles.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rail mount further comprises: a receptacle connecting section adjacent to the mounting section configured to adjoin the plurality of receptacles.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, mount wherein the mounting section comprises a cutout section having a substantially hexagonal cross-section having a first open end and a second open end, the cutout section configured to slide onto a section of the rail of the firearm.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cutout section of the rail mount is arranged in a first direction perpendicular to an orientation of the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the through hole is arranged in parallel to the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles and a portion of the through hole overlaps with the cutout section of the rail mount.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rail mount further comprises a hexagonal cutout adjacent to an end of the through hole configured to receive a hexagonal nut configured to secure the screw or bolt to the rail mount.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mounting section comprises a surface including one or more projections arranged thereon configured to engage one or more mounts on the rail of the firearm.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm, wherein the through hole is arranged perpendicular to an orientation of the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles.
 12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles comprises a female threaded section adjacent to the second open end, and the removable cap comprises a male threaded section configured to engage the cylindrical cavity.
 13. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the removable cap comprises a base section configured to engage the second open end of the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles, wherein the base section comprises an O-ring configured to be received in the second open end of the cylindrical cavity.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base section of the removable cap comprises a bottom surface comprising padding.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the removable cap comprises an upper section including a slot arranged therein configured to receive a head of a screwdriver.
 16. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical cavity of each of the plurality of receptacles is dimensioned to receive and hold a cylindrical battery, the cylindrical battery being a replacement battery for use with a firearm component.
 17. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mounting section comprises a cutout section having a first open end and a second open end, the cutout section configured to slide onto a section of the rail of the firearm.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the rail mount further comprises a through hole configured to receive a screw or a bolt configured to further secure the apparatus to the rail of the firearm. 